Principal Solutions Architect

Principal Solutions Architect

CIS Secure is seeking a Principal Solutions Architect to join our team at our Ashburn, Virginia headquarters. This is a hybrid position with regular on-site work in Ashburn, remote flexibility as agreed with management, and up to 50% travel to support customer engagements and industry events.

The Principal Solutions Architect will work collaboratively across CIS Secure's Product, Sales, and Engineering teams to support the full lifecycle of our secure communications products and solutions. Serving as a primary technical interface with customers, this individual will translate complex mission, technical, and functional requirements into compliant, functional architectures and help guide solutions from initial concept and customer presentation through design, prototyping, development, and delivery.

CIS Secure specializes in custom secure communications solutions supporting customers across the defense, intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security communities. Our products and solutions include secure telephones and computers, encrypted tactical communications systems, secure tele- and video-conferencing systems, and specialized systems designed for use within secure networks and challenging operational environments.

This role provides an opportunity to work directly with government stakeholders, cybersecurity engineers, system integrators, and internal technical teams to architect secure solutions supporting some of the nation's most demanding communications environments.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serve as the primary architect of new solutions and projects. Work closely with customers to understand mission, technical, and functional requirements and integrate them into the CIS product development process.
• Lead the requirements documentation and design alternatives processes and oversee solution development, planning, bidding, pricing, and technical execution.
• Interface directly with government stakeholders, cybersecurity engineers, and system integrators to ensure architectures align with DoD Enterprise infrastructure and Zero Trust principles.
• Incorporate relevant compliance requirements, document proposed customizations in accordance with internal CIS processes, and coordinate with Engineering to ensure products are developed and delivered in accordance with customer requirements.
• Design and integrate classified network architectures, LAN, WAN, and tactical communications transport systems spanning unclassified through Secret and above classification levels.
• Enforce the RED/BLACK concept, strictly isolating unclassified/encrypted data (BLACK) from unencrypted/plaintext classified data (RED) through physical separation, electrical isolation, and shielding.
• Ensure products and devices are designed to meet TEMPEST emission security standards intended to prevent the interception of compromising electromagnetic emanations.
• Integrate Type-1 cryptographic devices, Cross Domain Solutions (CDS), and IP-based secure audio/data switches into operational devices.
• Architect hybrid transport designs and solutions that bridge communications links across backhaul mechanisms including SATCOM, 5G/cellular data, line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight radios, MANET, and related technologies.
• Apply deep familiarity with CNSSI 5000/5002 (TSG Compliance), NIST 800-53, and ICD 705 directives.
• Provide feedback and visibility regarding customer timelines and alignment with engineering efforts to ensure project schedules and timelines are met.
• Anticipate potential schedule or priority delays and initiate plans for alternative actions.
• Proactively monitor activities to ensure compliance with applicable government regulations.
• Assist in the recruitment of project personnel, assignment of duties and responsibilities, and establishment of implementation schedules.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent technical, conceptual, and financial skills.
• Familiarity with applicable standards and technologies, including:
• TSG-6
• TEMPEST
• RF Technology
• Networking Technology
• USAF Airworthiness Risk Assessment and Acceptance Bulletin (AWB-150B)
• EO 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions
• MIL-HDBK-516C, Airworthiness Certification Criteria
• MIL-HDBK-217Plus, Reliability Prediction of Electronic Equipment (217Plus)
• MIL-HDBK-814, Guidelines for Implementing Environmental Protection Measures
• MIL-HDBK-344, Environmental Stress Screening Guidelines
• Telcordia SR-332, Reliability Prediction Procedure for Electronic Equipment
• MIL-HDBK-817, Design, Testing, and Application of Explosive Devices
• MIL-STD-1766C, Nuclear Weapon Design Safety Criteria
• MIL-STD-3100B, Military Standard: Technical Data Package
• MIL-STD-882E, System Safety

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; Master's degree in Engineering or Business Administration preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry designing military-hardened IT systems.
• Hands-on electrical engineering experience.
• U.S. citizenship required.

CLEARANCE:

• Top Secret security clearance preferred.
• Must have the ability to obtain a government security clearance.

OPERATING HOURS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• This position anticipates mostly standard hours, with some variability based on business travel, customer availability, and trade show involvement. This may include occasional weekend work.
• This position follows a hybrid schedule, with regular on-site work at the Ashburn headquarters and remote flexibility as agreed with management, in addition to off-site time for customer meetings and industry events.

TRAVEL:

• Up to 50%, including occasional weekends for customer visits or industry events.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This job operates in a professional office environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Flexibility related to work hours as project demands arise.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary computer position for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to use hands and fingers to type.
• Must be able to reach with hands and arms for using a computer.
• Occasionally required to move 5 – 40 pounds.

Benefits

WHAT WE OFFER:

At CIS Secure, we believe in promoting fair and transparent pay practices. We are committed to disclosing the compensation range for transparency and to set clear expectations for all applicants for this posting. This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base salary for the advertised job, promotion, or transfer opportunity. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. The actual salary offered may vary based on various factors including but not limited to relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, education, geographic location, as well as internal equity, and alignment to market data.

Benefits:

• 401(k) with company matching
• Dental insurance
• Medical insurance
• Health Savings Account option
• Flexible Spending
• Vision insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Ancillary offerings (Hospital Indemnity, Accident, Critical Illness, Pet Insurance)
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday pay

*This position is eligible for base salary plus variable compensation, including commission and/or performance-based bonus, in accordance with the Company's incentive compensation plan, with compensation determined based on experience, performance, internal equity, and business needs.

CIS Secure and its associated companies, Intrepid Solutions and Darkblade Systems, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.